Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dinner
Ingredients:
Rotisserie CHicken (Already cooked for you...could be any easier?! Costco has the best ones!)
Green Chilie Enchilada Sauce
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Beans (Your choice...Kindey, Pinto, Black, whatever your family likes)
Salt & Pepper
Shredded Cheese
Directions:
Shred the Chicken off the Rotisserie and warm in a skillet. Sprinkle a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning as well. Once the Chicken is warmed through, add the beans and the enchilada sauce and warm for another 5 min or so. Once Chicken Mixture is done, fill in warmed tortillas and top with cheese. Seriously, it is that simple and you are getting great protein and good carbs in this meal. I usually like to serve it with homemade salsa if I have time and also Corn.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Delicious and Easy Banana Bread
Ingredients:
6 very Ripe Bananas (the best to use when they are browned)
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Shortening
4 Eggs
2 1/2 Cups Flour (I use Whole Wheat so it is Healthier)
1 Tsp Baking soda
1 Tsp Salt
Directions:
Mash Bananas and add the eggs one at a time while beating together. Add the Shortening and mix till well incorporated. Add the Sugar and then add the soda, salt, and flour while still beating. Once all ingredients are together, mix until very well blended and pour into loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. For an extra special treat, I like to sometimes add Chocolate Chips....YUMMY!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Baked Caprese Salad
BAKED CAPRESE SALAD
1 baguette, sliced 1/2 inch thick, about 30 to 36 slices
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt
5 Roma tomatoes, sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 pounds fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Leaves from 1 bunch of fresh basil
Preheat the oven to 450°.
Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet, brush with some of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Top each slice of bread with a slice of tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with salt. Return the baking sheet to the oven until the cheese and tomato are just warm, about 5 minutes.
Arrange the toasts on a serving platter. Top each toast with a basil leaf. Using the brush, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
(Be careful not to overheat the crostini. The cheese and tomatoes should be just warmed through and softened, but not melted or falling apart. It's perfect if you have slightly under-ripe tomatoes).
Friday, November 16, 2007
Cornflake Cream Chicken...
- Chicken Breasts (enough for your family)
- 2 cups of crumbled corn flakes
- sour cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- 1 stick melted butter
- Put cornflakes in a zip lock bag and roll with rolling pin till crumbs (Let the kids do this, mine loved it)
- Mix cornflakes with Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), and mix in Italian seasoning (1 tsp)
- Dip chicken in sour cream (coat it thick)
- Then dip in cornflake mixture
- Place in greased pan, and drizzle melted butter all over.
- Bake in 400F oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden, and done in the center
I served mine with Veggies and cheese sauce, and bread sticks. Sooo easy and Yummy :)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Pumpkin Bread...
- -1 cup of olive oil(not extra virgin)
- -4 eggs
- -2/3 cup of milk
- -1 can 15 oz. of libbys pumpkin
- Mix in mixer for a few minutes
- -3 cups sugar
- -2 tsp. baking soda
- -1.5 tsp of salt
- -1 tsp of cloves and nutmeg
- -2 tsps of cinnamon
- Mix again
- -31/2 cups flour
- Mix one more time until just blended scraping sides if needed
Put in 2 loaf pans and bake at 325 for an hour or so. Middle should look a little mushy. DON'T overcook. :) Enjoy!
* Sometimes I throw in one cup of quick oats. Great for Breakfast!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Chicken-Asparagus Marsala
I made this Sunday night, and it is sooo good! I even liked it better than Macaroni Grill's Marsala. Anyway, it is super easy and delicious...one of our new favorites. I paired it on top of whole wheat Linguine, but it would be really good with rosemary garlic roasted or mashed potatoes as well.
4 Chicken Breast (I use the thinly sliced ones...they cook faster)
2 Tbl Butter
1 Pound Fresh Asparagus
1/2 Pound Fresh Mushrooms
1 Clove fresh minced Garlic
1/4 Cup Marsala Wine
1/4 Cup Water
Salt and Pepper (however much you want to lightly season)
Fresh Chopped Parsley (for garnish)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
In a Saute' Pan, place butter and heat to medium-high temperature. Add chicken and cook, turning until browned and thoroughly cooked. Remove Chicken and set aside.
In same pan, add mushrooms and garlic an cook until mushrooms are heated and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Add Marsala Wine, water, and season with salt and pepper. Return Chicken to pan and arrange mushrooms on top of chicken.
Arrange Asparagus over chicken and mushrooms. Heat to boiling and then reduce to medium and cover until asparagus is steamed through (about 8 minutes).
Transfer chicken to a serving platter and spoon sauce and mushrooms on top. Serve asparagus along side the chicken. Sprinkle fresh parsley over chicken and Parmesan cheese (if desired).
Enjoy!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Ruby Tuesday Potato Cheese Soup
I made this soup tonight and had forgot how much I love it. It has been raining here all day and the weather has been cooling off so it was the perfect night for soup!
2 large potatoes
2 TBSP finely minced celery
1 TBSP finely minced onion
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt
2 tsp white vinegar
2 TBSP flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup plus 1 TBSP shredded cheddar cheese
1 TBSP Monterey Jack Cheese (optional)
2 slices of bacon cooked
1 TBSP chopped green onion
1. Peel potatoes and chop them into bite-size pieces- you should have about 4 cups. Make sure the celery and onion are minced into small pieces. The carrot should be grated small also, not shredded.
2. Combine the vegetables with the chicken broth, salt and vinegar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then turn down the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Whisk together the flour and milk in a medium cup or bowl.
4. Remove the saucepan of vegetables from the heat and add the flour and milk mixture. Put the pan back on the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until the soup has thickened.
5. Add 1 cup cheddar cheese to the soup and simmer until melted. By this time the potatoes should be tender an falling apart. If not, continue to cook until the soup is as thick as you like it.
6. To serve spoon the soup into bowls. Divide the remaining 1 TBSP of cheddar and the Monterey Jack and sprinkle on the soup. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it evenly on top of the cheese. Top off each bowl of soup with green onions.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
New Layout
Monday, October 8, 2007
Chicken lime tacos.
INGREDIENTS
* 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed
* 1/8 cup red wine vinegar ( I used about 1 1/2TB)
* 1/2 lime, juiced ( I used a whole lime)
* 1 teaspoon white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 2 green onions, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried oregeno (I used cilantro instead)
* 10 (6 inch) flour tortillas
* 1 tomato, diced
* 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
* 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 1/4 cup salsa
DIRECTIONS
1. Saute chicken in a medium saucepan over medium high heat for about 20 minutes. Add vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic and oregano. Simmer for an extra 10 minutes.
2. Heat an iron skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan, warm, and turn over to heat the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Serve lime chicken mixture in warm tortillas topped with tomato, lettuce, cheese and salsa.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Yummy Brownies!
BEST BROWNIES
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Frosting
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 21-24 minutes. Do not overcook.
To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar and beat with mixer. (The frosting will be really thick so add a drop of milk to it until it's the consistency that you like). Frost brownies while they are still warm and enjoy!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Whole Wheat Muffins
Whole Wheat Muffins
1/2 butter or margarine
1 c brown sugar
1 egg
2 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c milk
1/2 c chopped nuts, opt.
Cream butter and sugar, add egg. Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture alternately with milk and vanilla. Spoon into muffin tins. Bake at 425 for 12 minutes.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Crockpot Fettuccine Alfredo
2-3 Chicken Breasts cubed
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can water
8oz Block of low-fat Cream Cheese ( sometimes I use half)
1 stick of butter (to save on fat I use 1/4 a stick and it's still good)
1 packet Italian Dressing
Put in your crock pot on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours
Cook up a box of Fettuccine noodles (I use wheat) and mix with the Alfredo! The sauce will be runny at first but after it cools off it will thicken up.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monterey Chicken !
Monterey Chicken
3 boneless chicken breasts, or 6 chicken tenders
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 c mushrooms, chopped
1 c shredded cheese
Honey Mustard Sauce
1/2 c mayo
1 T honey
1 T mustard
Marinate chicken in 1/4 c soy sauce & 1 can of Sprite for a few hours to over night. Remove chicken and grill until juices run clear. Place a large piece of foil on grill, transfer chicken over to the foil & put them close together. Spread some sauce over each breast, cover with green pepper, mushrooms, and shredded cheese. Cook until cheese is melted. When serving place chicken on a small amount of sauce and top with bacon bits.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Cheesecake with Chocolate Lace...
1-3/4 cups finely crushed chocolate wafers (about 33)
1/3 cup butter (no substitutes), melted
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon almond or mint extract
2 egg yolks
1 egg
1/4 cup half-and-half or light cream
1 6-ounce package white chocolate baking bars, chopped
2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon butter (no substitutes)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
Whipped cream (optional)
Chocolate Lace Musical Symbols (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
2. For crust, combine cookie crumbs and the 1/3 cup melted butter. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.
3. For filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, and extract in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Add egg yolks and the whole egg all at once, beating on low speed just until combined. Stir in half-and-half and chopped white chocolate. Pour filling into crust-lined pan. Place in a shallow baking pan in oven.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen the crust from sides of pan and cool cheesecake completely. Cover and chill cheesecake in the refrigerator at least 4 hours before serving.
5. Heat corn syrup, water, and the 1 tablespoon butter until butter melts and mixture just boils. Pour over chocolate pieces in a small bowl; let stand 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Spread over top of cheesecake. Chill 5 to 10 minutes or until chocolate is set. If desired, garnish with whipped cream and Chocolate Lace Musical Symbols. Makes 16 servings.
Chocolate Lace Musical Symbols: Melt 3 ounces semisweet chocolate and 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening. Let cool slightly. Place in a plastic bag. Cut a small hole in one corner and pipe the shapes onto waxed paper. Let garnishes stand in a cool, dry place until firm.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
How do I choose?
I hope the poll doesn't find you having the same inner conflicts as I did. I am passionate about only the important things in life, DESSERT being one of them!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Jamie's Minestrone soup
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 5 carrots, sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can green beans
- 2 cups baby spinach, rinsed
- 3 zucchinis, quartered and sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup seashell pasta
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
DIRECTIONS
- In a large stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots, saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, water and tomato sauce, bring to boil, stirring frequently. If desired add red wine at this point. Reduce heat to low and add kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, the longer the better.
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain water and set aside.
- Once pasta is cooked and soup is heated through place 2 tablespoons cooked pasta into individual serving bowls. Ladle soup on top of pasta and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Spray with olive oil and serve.
I made this in the crockpot and it turned out really good. I just waited to add the pasta until the end.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Cheesy Baked Tortellini
This is a really easy, good comfort dinner. It is great with steamed Veggies and French or Garlic Bread. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
Olive oil
2 cups marinara sauce
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 pound purchased cheese tortellini
2 ounces thinly sliced smoked mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil an 8 by 8 by 2-inch baking dish.
Whisk the sauce, mascarpone cheese, parsley and thyme in a large bowl to blend. Cook the tortellini in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain. Add the tortellini to the sauce and toss to coat. Transfer the tortellini mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the mixture with the smoked mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheeses on top melt, about 30 minutes.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Quick Fix Beef Burrito Skillet
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (19 oz.) kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch squares
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese
1/3 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 1 large)
ADD seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min.
STIR in tortillas; top with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Giada De Laurentis
I noticed on the "What is your favorite type of food" quiz, that Italian won with a whopping 60%! With that being the consensus, I thought I would add this little bit about my favorite Italian chef: Giada De Laurentis. Her recipes are easy to follow and delicious. Anyway, her cookbooks are amazing and so is her show "Everyday Italian" on the Food Network at 1:30 and 4:30 weekdays. Check it out and you will be amazed at the yummy Italian dishes you can easily create at home in your own kitchen! If you can't be in Rome or Capri, why not eat like you are!!!
Picnic Pasta Salad
8 ounces curly pasta (I like using whole wheat)
8 fluid ounces Italian dressing
2 tablespoons salad seasoning
1 cup chopped broccoli florets
1 cup diced cheddar cheese
1/2 medium cucumber, peeled seeded and sliced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 can (2.25-oz.) sliced black olives, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup diced seeded green bell pepper
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1-2 cups Halved Grape Tomatoes
DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta according to package directions (do not overcook, as dressing will continue to soften pasta as it sits). Rinse with cold water and drain. Toss with Italian salad dressing and salad seasoning. Refrigerate until needed (may be done up to 1 day in advance).Gently toss pasta with tomatoes, broccoli, cheddar cheese, cucumber, mushrooms, olives, green bell pepper and onions until evenly coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve. BEST IF REFRIGERATED FOR A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE SERVING.
Simple Salmon
Ingredients:
Salmon (6 oz. per person is usually best)
Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Lemon Pepper
Line baking tray with tin foil and set the oven to Broil at 500 Degrees.
Baste Salmon with Olive Oil, about a 1/2 Tbl. per Portion (eyeball it)
Sprinkle Garlic Powder and Lemon Pepper to taste on the Salmon.
Place seasoned Salmon Portions on the foil-lined tray and broil in the oven till no longer pink in the middle (about 10 min.)
This Salmon is best served along side with Mashed Potatoes, over a light pasta, or Rice Pilaf and Veggies. Or if you are watching your carbs, it is great with just some simple veggies.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Crunchy Salad
SALAD
Romaine Lettuce
Broccoli
Green Onions
CRUNCHY PART
2 packages of Ramen Noodles crushed up
Sunflower Seeds (about 1/4 cup)
Slivered Almonds (about 1/2 cup)
Saute Crunchy ingredients in 2 Tbsp of butter until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. (The recipe called for a STICK! I did 2 Tbsp and it was fine, next time I will probably try just using Pam and no butter).
DRESSING
1/2 Cup Crisco Oil
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
Mix dressing ingredients together and shake up well.
Mix lettuce, onions and broccoli together (add as many onions and broccoli as you prefer). Then add some of the crunchy topping to the salad, once again add all by preference. You wont use all of the topping, I put the extras in a bag, it will last for a while. I am still on the same batch and I have eaten it every day for the past week! Then add the dressing and mix up (I put my salad in a Tupperware and shake it good to coat it). I only put on less than a TBSP of dressing for my plate of salad. You should have lots of dressing left over to store in your fridge. Some people like a lot of dressing but I like it just to barely coat my salad.
I love this salad, it is so so yummy. Mike was teasing me tonight that I am going to turn green from eating it too much. Let me know if you have any questions, I don't have an official recipe for it so I tried to explain the best I could. (Sorry, I know the pictures doesn't make it look so good, I was eating it for dinner tonight so I took a quick picture of my plate).
Beef Penne Layered Pasta
Ingredients:
1 pound dried penne pasta, prepared according to package directions
8 ounces lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups water
2 cans (6 ounces each) Italian tomato paste
1/3 water
1 tablespoon MAGGI Instant Beef Flavor Bouillon
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
COOK beef and onion in large saucepan, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink. Add water, tomato paste, wine and bouillon; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes or until flavors are blended.
LAYER ingredients as follows in ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking dish: 1/2 pasta, 1/2 sauce and 1/2 cheese. Repeat layers; cover.
BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Season with salt.
FOR FREEZE AHEAD:
PREPARE as above; do not bake. Cover; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
BAKE for 45 to 55 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Season with salt.
Suggestion:
Serve with Seasoned Steamed Broccoli and French Bread. Enjoy!!!